Ranger Caster Level?

[schreier]

How does it work with Prestige classes?

Ranger caster level is: "Through 3rd level, a ranger has no caster level. At 4th level and higher, his caster level is one-half his ranger level."

Prestige classes (Loremaster in this case) generally say: "When a new loremaster level is gained, the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if she had also gained a level in a spellcasting class she belonged to before she added the prestige class."

The way I would read that is 1/2 Ranger level + 1/2 any prestige classes taken (round down) -- so a level 10 Ranger / 4 Loremaster would:
Know spells per day as a level 14 Ranger
Have an effective spellcaster level of 7 (14/2)

The other option would be:
Know spells per day as a level 14 Ranger
Have an effective spellcaster level of 9 (10/2 + 4)

I believe it is the first option, since it explicitly says "as if she also gained a level in a spellcasting class she belonged to..."

If something added spellcaster levels (Practiced Spellcaster), I believe it would add the full 4 caster levels.

So my best guess, if the aforementioned level 14 character took Practiced Spellcaster, they would:
Know spells per day as a level 14 Ranger
Have an effective spellcaster level of 11 (14/2 + 4)

Is that the general way used to calculate it?

Thanks
schreier

[Venger]

you are reading everything correctly.

[Kelb_Panthera]

Option 1 is correct. There's a reason some people call them half-casters.